Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iMac 2010 - just set it up but...

Freis968

Freis968

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 1, 2007
687
3
Ocoee, Florida
During the unboxing it almost appeared as if someone did a somewhat decent job of repacking it up and perhaps sent it back. The cover was off of the magic mouse and one of the batteries was poking out, the plastic that covered the monitor was not tight fitting but rather a bit wavy and the power cord was sort of rolled up and thrown in the bottom of the box. It just did not seem as tidy as the last iMac 2009 that I got.

How can you tell if a machine has been refurbished and repackaged other than the telling things that I mentioned? I don't recall know whether or not the Apple sticker that joins the seal that connects the white cover wrap over the monitor was intact or not...as I think of it now, I don't think it was but not for sure.

I ordered this iMac from Mac Connection by the way...will be giving them a call tomorrow an demanding another one.

Anyone have any experience with this company?

PS Also, here are all the updates that I had to do when I checked the Software Update if anyone is interested.
 

Attachments

  • Screen shot 2010-08-05 at 8.55.56 PM.png
    Screen shot 2010-08-05 at 8.55.56 PM.png
    162.9 KB · Views: 143
I bought my MacBook through them a year and a half ago, didn't have any problems like that. I did have some slight shipping issues though, after waiting a week for it to ship I finally called them, and they shipped it the next day. Almost as if they forgot about it until I called :confused:

Anyway, hope they get things sorted out for you.
 
Yeah, I hate getting repacks. If I pay for something new, I want it to be virgin new. I've been in retail too long to not know what goes on behind the scenes.

Was it a BTO? Any additional memory added, etc?
 
If the iMac's screen is perfect, its keyboard, mouse, etc etc work and it has included manuals / DVDs, I'd keep it. And. I'd use it. Someone probably opened up your box, manually pre-loaded its apps (or updates) or did a random "off the line" inspection. And, they did NOT re-seal its outer wrapper very well. If the system works, is in perfect physical conditon and has all included software/documents, I'd keep it. Hopefully, only its outer packaging wasn't re-sealed properly...
 
Freis968 said:
Did you have all the updates to do that I had to?
Click to expand...

A MacBook bought over a year ago would not have any of those updates because these are all pretty recent (within the last 2-3 weeks). These updates in the screenshot above would be typical for a Mac bought very recently. But that's not to belittle the other problems you describe above.
 
tedus said:
If it came from overseas could it have been customs...?
Click to expand...

Well, as I mentioned in my original post, my 2009 iMac came from China, as they all do, right? And it was packaged BEAUTIFULLY! You could tell it was new, this one I could tell something was not right.

I am calling Mac Connection tomorrow and tell them I want a new machine. I just am the kind of person that expects perfection for $2,000.00!
 
Freis968 said:
Well, as I mentioned in my original post, my 2009 iMac came from China, as they all do, right? And it was packaged BEAUTIFULLY! You could tell it was new, this one I could tell something was not right.

I am calling Mac Connection tomorrow and tell them I want a new machine. I just am the kind of person that expects perfection for $2,000.00!
Click to expand...

Did you check the serial number to see when the iMac was manufactured?
 
Freis968 said:
Well, as I mentioned in my original post, my 2009 iMac came from China, as they all do, right? And it was packaged BEAUTIFULLY! You could tell it was new, this one I could tell something was not right.

I am calling Mac Connection tomorrow and tell them I want a new machine. I just am the kind of person that expects perfection for $2,000.00!
Click to expand...

Does one expect outer wrapper / out box "perfection" or "inner product" inspection? :eek: IMO - If the product works great and you return it for "perfect wrapper" replacement, you you might get a replacement that has yellow screen, loud HDD or some other problem. The gamble is yours. But if it was my new iMac and "the product" was perfect for $2,000, I'd keep it. I would NOT risk getting a defective replacement, then having to replace it later on. And if wondering... My new "on order" iMac will cost me $2,010 :( as well. As long as "the product" is perfect, I don't care about its outer wrapper. But that's just me....

BTW: For risk percentages of defective iMac box, surf: https://forums.macrumors.com/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=5022


.
 
the power cord should be bound by clear plastic tape. Sounds like someone bought it and decided to return it cuz the refurb i5/i7 are a lot cheaper. If everything is all good with the machine, I'd just keep it like many others suggests. It's better to not chance getting a lemon but i understand the feeling of getting a used item when you paid full price for a new one.
 
Does this Power On Self-Test say anything?

Power On Self-Test:
Last Run: 8/5/10 8:45 PM
Result: Passed

Is there some way to tell whether or not a Mac has been restored?

Thanks for all of your replies folks.
 
For "product" history trace, I would:

- Call Apple and provide them "W802xxxxxx" (your unit's serial number). On the phone, they can easily advise if "brand new" or re-fab unit.

Might want to start with:
http://www.apple.com/support/expert/
http://www.apple.com/contact/

If you turned your iMac ON for the first time and it asked for your id, your name, address, etc. etc., then its OS was installed as Pre-configure state. Meaning, your iMac's existing OS has NOT been used by somebody else.

Hope this helps...

.
 
Spike88 said:
For "product" history trace, I would:

- Call Apple and provide them "5ERIAL#". On the phone, they can easily advise if "brand new" or re-fab unit. Might want to start with:
http://www.apple.com/support/expert/
http://www.apple.com/contact/

If you turned your iMac ON for the first time and it asked for your id, your name, address, etc. etc., then its OS was installed as Pre-configure state. Meaning, your iMac's existing OS has NOT been used by somebody else.

Hope this helps...

.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot, that is great info!
 
nobias said:
It's easy to reinstall osx to make it appear that way... Best way to tell is still the packaging inside/out.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is true. Good info about tracking down the serial # though...although that link that I went to is telling me I have to pay for a single incident...WTF?
 
If you feel uncomfortable be persistent until you get a NEW system.

You are paying hard earned cash and you should get your moneys worth.
 
Freis968 said:
Yes, that is true. Good info about tracking down the serial # though...although that link that I went to is telling me I have to pay for a single incident...WTF?
Click to expand...

Call "1-800-MY-APPLE (800-692-7753)". Yes. Main Sales number. If they are the incorrect number, they will provide you the correct phone number.

.
 
I understand how you'd feel. I'll be buying an iMac soon and if i opened the box and found it to have been tampered I'd be a bit pissed too.

I don't expect perfection but I expect the box to be sealed and not tampered with. If I wanted a refurb I would've paid $400 less.
 
It's safe to say there aren't any 2010 refurbs yet. Someone probably opened it to inspect/play. Either way it's your money and your decision.

In terms of manufacturing, the 2010 models seem to be much better and problem free vs the large amount of reported systems with issues back in 09.

Don't be afraid to exchange systems.
 
The updates are normal. Just got my iMac 21.5" i3 too. When I ran Software Update, there were over 600 MB of updates to download for OS X, Safari, iWork, Aperture, etc.

If your machine and periphery are in perfect condition, you may as well keep it. If you do an exchange, you may get one of those with yellow tint and whistle noise...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back